Some NBA doctors have warned team officials about drafting Ohio State All-American Jared Sullinger because of a back issue, ESPN.com reported yesterday.

Sullinger, who is projected to be a lottery pick in this year’s NBA draft, underwent a series of medical tests at the draft combine a week ago. Sources told ESPN.com that doctors who examined Sullinger were concerned about his back.

Several team doctors reviewed the information and have told their front office members that Sullinger’s back problems could shorten his NBA career. Some have advised team officials not to draft him in the first round.

“He had a bulging area that was due to his hamstring and quads being so tight,” Satch Sullinger, Jared’s father, told ESPN. “It pulled on his hip flexor and he has been taking care of it to loosen it. You can call it a red flag if you want, but it’s tight hamstring and tight quads. He has been to doctors, he’s doing yoga and deep-tissue massage. The flexibility is helping take the pressure off the area.

”We’ve got nothing to hide. At this stage, it’s all about what they can’t do. Jared is a skilled player, a two-time All-American. He can play.”

Sullinger’s agent, David Falk, also cited a tight hamstring as a source of the back problems and said Sullinger’s NBA career won’t be threatened.

“Jared has consulted with one of the foremost specialists of backs and spines, who has vast experience treating professional athletes,” Falk told SI.com. “He has explained to us that Jared had extremely tight hamstrings … because he had suffered an injury that I don’t think he was aware of to his hamstring.

“He needs to maintain vigilance with his flexibility. And if he does that, and keeps his weight at an appropriate level, then he should have absolutely no problems over the next 15 years.”

Reports: Bobcats hire Dunlap as coach

The Charlotte Bobcats hired St. John’s assistant Mike Dunlap as coach, according to reports by The Charlotte Observer and Associated Press sources.

The choice of Dunlap comes as a surprise because he was not one of the team’s three finalists and rejoined the picture late.

He originally was one of 10 candidates to interview for the job, but the team trimmed the list to former Utah coach Jerry Sloan, Indiana assistant coach Brian Shaw and Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Quin Snyder last week.

At some point Dunlap, a former assistant with Denver, re-entered the picture and accepted the job last night.

Dunlap, 54, will replace Paul Silas, whose contract was not renewed after Charlotte (7-59) finished with the worst winning percentage in NBA history this season.